Captain James Cook died on February 14, 1779, during a confrontation with Native Hawaiians at Kealakekua Bay in Hawaii. The situation escalated when Cook attempted to kidnap Kalaniʻōpuʻu, the ruling chief of the island, to hold him hostage for the return of a stolen boat cutter. As Cook and his men tried to take the chief to their ship, they were confronted and attacked by Hawaiians trying to prevent the chief from leaving. In the ensuing fight, Cook was clubbed on the head, stabbed, and overwhelmed by the Hawaiians who beat him to death. His body was then dismembered and distributed to Hawaiian chiefs, a traditional mark of respect for a high-ranking opponent. His crew later recovered his remains and buried them at sea with military honors.